A journey that includes a hot meal accompanied by wine and concluded with chocolates and a liqueur is a fine way to travel from Point A to Point B. Make those ‘points’ Montreal to Toronto or Montreal to Quebec City on board VIA Rail’s Business Class service; and you have a very good start to a holiday getaway or business trip.

We recently travelled to Quebec City to visit Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac and enjoyed the mid-day run from Montreal. Everything about train travel is simpler and stress-free compared to traveling by air. A Business Class ticket gives you access to the Panorama Lounge in any VIA station. The lounges are an oasis of calm, with complimentary coffee, tea, and daily newspapers. You don’t need to check in hours before departure in order to allow time to clear security. If you’re short of time; arriving at the station 30 minutes before departure will still see you able to join your fellow travelers. Business Class passengers are offered priority boarding of the train.
If you haven’t been on board a train in a while – the first item you’ll notice is how much personal space you have. Spacious comfortable seats, plenty of space in the overhead bins (convenient storage for larger suitcases near the exit) and lots of leg room. Departures are so smooth that most passengers initially don’t realize that the train is pulling out of the station. Someone else is doing the driving. Travelling by train eliminates any threats of inclement winter weather, and no matter what season, eliminates the fatigue of city traffic and a three to six hour drive – depending on your destination.

Meal service usually begins shortly after departure, preceded by the car stewards offering individual hot towels before passing by with the drinks cart. Menu selections generally include a choice of three hot main courses; including a vegetarian selection. (Meal selections can be made online a couple of days before departure.) The stewards make several passes with a choice of red or white wine. As the miles click away, the mood inside becomes decidedly more relaxed. “Would you like coffee or tea with your dessert? And how about a chocolate? A Liqueur?” All this is included in the purchase of a Business Class ticket.

After the meal is served, there is time to read; work on your laptop with access to complimentary Wi-Fi internet service; or enjoy a relaxed conversation with your travelling companion. No worries about taking a wrong turn. When arriving in Toronto or Quebec City, the downtown location of the train stations places you within a short walk or quick cab ride to your hotel.
VIA Rail also offers getaway and holiday travel packages that include hotel accommodations. To make a reservation or consult schedules, please visit: www.viarail.ca or call: 1-888-VIA-RAIL. Bon Voyage!

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